How to Say “Brother” in Fulani

By Tayla Jessica • Updated October 1, 2026

mawdo

The English word 'brother' is translated into Fulani as mawdo.

mawdo is a noun used to refer to a male sibling.

Meaning: male sibling (noun)

Did you know?

Fulani nouns like mawdo often belong to complex noun-class systems that require the adjectives and verbs in the sentence to change their prefixes to match.
In Fulani culture, the term for 'brother' can extend beyond biological ties to include any male member of one's clan or even a close spiritual comrade.
Depending on the dialect, a speaker might use different variations of mawdo to distinguish between an older brother and a younger brother, as seniority is highly valued.

Example conversation

Mariama asks Abdoulaye about his family.

Abdoulaye

Mawdo am ina ɗipporde.
My brother is working.
Mariama

Mawdo ma ina wuro?
Where does your brother live?
Abdoulaye

O ina wuro e Ƴawa.
He lives in Ƴawa.
Mariama

Mawnaye o?
Is he older?

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About The Author

Tayla Jessica

Mo n je Tayla, a lover of language and culture. When I'm not writing comprehensive guides to learning Yoruba, I escape into nature and daydream at the beach. Reading African literature, touring local markets, and cooking intercontinental dishes are just a few of my hobbies. By helping people understand Yoruba's intriguing idiomatic expressions and vibrant slang, I hope to bridge cultural gaps and promote unity. E se pupo for taking the time to read my work. My love for West African languages also led me to Fulani, and I now write guides on saying everyday words in Fulani too. Stay blessed.

Tayla JessicaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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